What's it like to live between Overstrand and Norwich?

[Natfamlife]

Considering a move to Norfolk but would like to live within 20mins of a beach, maybe 30 - 40mins to Norwich and have the Broads a similar distance too. Looking at a map leads me to think somewhere between Overstrand and Norwich. Thing is, I don't know what the areas between those places are like.

Will be going on a recce but would appreciate local insight if anyone can share.

Usually holiday near Wells and villages slightly inland from there, down to Holt and Cley. But those places are a bit far from Norwich, I think, for us to buy a house.

Hoping to find a quiet village, access to a flexischool with a good reputation but critically somewhere that also means we'd have access to very good Secondary schools when the time comes.

TIA

I am your expert... can answer all questions...

What is your ideal home place like?

My questions:
Do you care about schools, school quality?

Where do you work?

How old are you?

Is your household multi-ethnic?

Yes, as I put in my original post we want good schools both primary and secondary.

Work remotely from home so no commute to consider

We are a family of four, 2 adults and 2 primary age children

It’s a great part of Norfolk. Erpingham village school is very positive about flexi schooling if that’s your thing. I’d aim to be somewhere near Aylsham.

Aylsham HS has a good rep but can be very competitive to get into, you'd want to be in catchment. Similar for Sheringham HS. None of the other high schools would be what MNers would call Naice. Paston college is considered inferior & picky parents send their kids to Isaac Newton or Jane Austen 6th form instead. North Norfolk is a place where Ambition came to die. We have the oldest (median age) population in England.

Working remotely sounds like you need very good broadband which can be hard to obtain. Your best best would be to be in Aylsham itself for the high quality broadband & the school & the bus to Norwich 6th forms.

Maybe you can afford private & want to look at Greshams, go Holt way.

is there any schools closer to Norwich centre that are open to flexi schooling as this is such a good idea?

My mum lives in a village just outside Aylsham and just a warning, the phone signal is absolutely crap, especially once inside the house. But it is an absolutely beautiful part of Norfolk and I would move there in a heartbeat if I could. Transport links, good roads to Norwich and the coast, especially Cromer and Sheringham. Aylsham has lots of lovely independent shops, not to mention a few historic sites, including Blickling Hall, nearby.

I am biased though, I love my home county.

Don’t write of North Walsham. I grew up there, and couldn’t believe the change when I visited recently. It’s a decent market town with good transport links to Norwich and out to the coast.

I went to a fab primary school, the high school wasn’t great but we moved so I could to get into Aylsham in year 9, then I went back for Paston sixth form college (which CERTAINLY wasn’t ’inferior’ then I can tell you, you had to have very good GCSEs to get a place.

The social scene was fairly decent, it’s probably better for young children now than it was then with a new updated park. Good shops, library, community centre, market every week. Couple of fantastic pubs with good beer gardens and live music.

Don’t write *OFF North Walsham that should say !

The test of anywhere is what it is like in January and February. East wind, early darkness, for example.